EC Launches Corporate Tax Debate Website

by Ulrika Lomas, Tax-News.com, Brussels

11 March 2002

The European Commission last week announced the launch of a new website dedicated to corporate tax issues within the European Union.

The launch is timely, coming as it does after a period of hot debate sparked by German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder, who proposed that taxes be imposed at EU level, rather than by individual nations. This drew angry responses from several other EU members, most notably the UK and Ireland.

Irish Deputy Prime Minister Mary Harney, supported by the country's business community, responded - in a manner very reminiscent of the former UK Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher - that Ireland was 'not for turning' on the issue, and that its historically low rates of corporate income tax were what has made it an attractive location for international businesses.

EC Taxation and Internal Market Commissioner, Frits Bolkestein described the new portal last week as: 'a tool for achieving a real Internal Market without corporate tax obstacles'.

He explained that the creation of the website, which offers users the opportunity to view current EU policy, proposals and legislation on corporate taxation, and provides access to news on the latest developments on the subject and discussion forums, 'is part of the Commission's policy to launch and lead a wide-ranging and detailed debate on the future of company taxation in the European Union and the need for fundamental reform'.

The Commissioner also announced that plans for a conference on the subject in April are well under way.

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